


OF ECR Ras 


OF THE t ; 
UHoman's Paptist Missionary Soriety. 


- President. . 
Mrs. GARDNER COLBY, Newton, Mass. 


Vice-President. 


Mrs. J. N. Murpock,: Boston, Mass. 


Clerk. ; 
Miss S. C. DuRFEE, Providence,- R. I. 


Corresponding Secretary. 


Mrs. ALvAu Hovey, Newton Centre, Mass. * 


Treasurer. 


sMrs. J. M.S. Wiiurams, Missionary Rooms,. Tremont Temple, Boston. 


Assistant Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer. 


Miss Mary: E. CLarke, Missionary Rooms, Tremont Temple, Boston, 


-_ Auditor. 


Mr. ALBERT. VINAL. 


Board of Directors. 


Mrs. A. W, ce Brookline; Mrs. J. D. Cuapiin, Boston; Mrs. H. S. Cask, 
Boston; “Mrs. S. P Hitt, Charlestown;, Mrs. J. Lincoitn, Boston; Mrs. ‘A. J. 
Loup, Boston; Mrs. THomas Nickerson, Newton Centre; Mrs, J. S..Parne, 
Cambridge; Miss A. L. PIERCE; Boston ; Mrs. A. C, SHIPLEY, Boston; Mrs. 
S. B. Swaim, Cambridge. 

State Secretaries. 


Maine. — Miss SARAH CuRTIS, Hampden. 
New. Hampshire. — Mrs. W. H. Eaton, Keene. 
Vermont. — Mrs. R. M.. Luruer, Bennington. 
Massachusetts. — Mrs. J. E..Taytior, Springfield. 
Rhode Island. — Miss S. C. DuRFEE, 71’ Benefit Street, Providence. 
Connecticut. — Mrs. S. M. WuirTinG, 31 Howe Street, New Haven. 
New Vork.— Mrs. J.B. Cotcats, Yonkers. 
Western New York,— Mrs. A. C. KENpRIcK, Rochester. 
New Fekseyo= sepae Wi.iiAm C, Butter, Plainfield. 
Miss E. S. Cores, Scotch Plains. 
Mrs. M. R. Trevor, 1424 N. 17th St., arane aan 
Mrs. W. M. Youna,. Meadville. 
Delaware.— Miss A. Sempre, Wilmington. 
District of ‘Columbia. — 


Penunsylvania.— | 


SEYEN YHEARS 


OF THE 


ddlonan's Daptist Missionary Society. 


1871—1878. 


Many times in the last year we have been asked to tell the 
reason for the existence of the Woman’s Baptist Missionary 
Society, and to recount the causes which led to its formation, 
with the history of its earlier years. It is a pleasure to comply 
with the request. 

The Woman’s Union Missionary Society had opened the way, 
and had shown by its noble example that inestimable good 
might be accomplished by an organization of women, sending 
representatives to carry the Gospel to our heathen sisters. And 
more recently the Congregational, Presbyterian, and Methodist 
Woman’s Boards, each working in connection with the general 
Missionary Society of its own denomination, had begun to give 
important aid to the work abroad, and to arouse to new interest 
and zeal the Christian women at home. But the women of the 
Baptist churches were in general almost ignorant on the subject 
of missions; and, with the exception of those contributing to the 
Woman’s Union Society, only a few were personally giving any- 
thing to carry out the great commission in heathen lands. The 
enthusiasm awakened by the experiences of the Judsons and 
other earlier missionaries had been suffered to abate, and to 
fade from memory. During the gloomy years of civil war, 
thought and energy were absorbed for our own country and those 
who were fighting her battles; and we can hardly wonder if 
many a woman forgot to think of every soul the Lord had made, 
when she tried to say, “ Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done,” 


y 


in the time when her own dear one might already have fallen a 
sacrifice in the struggle to establish liberty and right. 

There could be no doubt of the ability of Baptist women to 
carry forward a work similar to that begun by other Christian 
sisters ; and when the reason for such an effort came in the shape 
of appeals from the foreign field, they were not slow to respond. 

The appeals which led directly to the organization of this So- 
ciety were contained in letters written in 1869 and 1870 by Mrs. 
Carpenter, of Bassein, Burmah. These letters give a vivid pic- 
ture of a missionary and his wife sinking under their heavy 
burdens, calling for help, but in vain, till health gave way and 
life seemed in danger. The Sgau Karen churches in the Bas- 
sein district. years ago determined to secure Christian education 
for their children, and with that object in view have made great 
sacrifices to provide school-houses and teachers, and to support 
their children while in school. The number of girls was larger 
in the school of that station than in any other; and therefore 
the demands of the school upon the missionary’s wife were ex- 
ceptionally great. Mrs. Carpenter, though without children, 
had, like other missionaries’ wives, the ordinary cares of the 
household; and there were innumerable visits from Christians 
from all the churches in the district, to whom sympathy and 
counsel must be given; medical advice and remedies, too, were 
in constant demand. Mrs. Carpenter longed to go with her 
husband on jungle trips, when she could meet with the women 
as he could not; but she was often kept at home by the needs of 
the school. Miss Isabella Watson, who had been sent out by 
the Missionary Union, gave important aid in the school and in 
other departments; but her physical strength was not equal to 
her courageous and helpful spirit. The help sorely needed 
seemed to be, in Mrs. Carpenter’s words, “a woman of character 
and piety, to take charge of the female department, and perhaps 
some of the higher classes in English.” Not only at Bassein 
was there need in mission work of such help as women can 
give. At all the stations the missionaries and their wives had 
done all they could for the women and girls in the way of edu- 
cation, with most encouraging results, of which we cannot now 
tell; they may be known to all who will read the Missionary 
Magazine, where is a record of labor and success to move every 
Christian heart with sympathy and gratitude. Everywhere it 


3 


was possible to do more for women and girls, if more laborers 
and more money could be supplied. The number of girls in the 
station schools seems to have been generally in proportion to the 
leisure and strength of the missionary lady to take charge of 
them. 

The Missionary Union had sent several unmarried women to 
the foreign field. The labors of Eleanor Macomber, Sarah 
Cummings, Miranda Vinton, and others, are held in high honor. 
At the time of which we write, Miss Haswell was with her par- 
ents, and had commenced the school which is now so highly 
commended by all who know it; Miss Gage was first associated 
with her sister, Mrs. Bixby, and afterward with Mrs. Douglass ; 
but both these homes being broken up by the return of her 
friends to the United States, she had gone to Rangoon, and was 
in charge of schools there. Miss Adams had accompanied Mrs. 
Ingalls to Thongzai, and afterward removed to Henthada, where 
she had established a girls’ boarding-school; and Miss Watson 
was, as we have said, with Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter at Bassein. 
Miss Higby and Miss Lefevre, of the Woman’s Union Society, 
and Miss Norris and Miss DeWolfe, sent out by the Provincial 
Board, were in Burmah, engaged in important work; but the 
officers of the Union did not feel sufficiently sure that single 
women would be brave and steady and contented when far from 
home and relatives, and at the same time prudent in the care of 
their health, and willing to be guided by more experienced mis- 
sionaries, to warrant them in sending many more, unless some 
new accession of funds to the treasury should justify an experi- 
ment in that direction. 

In January, 1871, Mrs. Carpenter wrote, “ We can see as yet 
no helper; one and another has come in sight; our signal of 
distress has been raised; our cry for help repeated again and 
again; but thus far none responds. May the ever-gracious 
Father give us patience and strength according to our day! We 
are doing all we have strength for, but the wheels turn heavily ; 
and we see the harvest perishing for lack of reapers. Pray for 
us! Jam not sure that you yourselves have not a work to do 
for missions at home — the forming of women’s societies, auxil- 
iary to the Missionary Union, as far as your ability and influ- 
ence will allow. I believe that is the true course.” 


4 


FIRST STEPS. 


The friends who received these appeals found, on consulting 
other sisters in the churches, that the Lord was guiding their 
minds in the same direction, and awakening similar convictions 
as to the duty of the Baptist women of America toward their 
Christian and heathen sisters in foreign lands. Consequently, on 
the 28th of February, 1871, eleven ladies of the Baptist church 
in Newton Centre, Mass., met “for the purpose of forming 
a Woman’s Missionary Society for the benefit of women in 
heathen lands, to act through and in connection with the Amer- 
ican Baptist Missionary Union.” After a free consultation, 
officers were appointed ; and the secretary was requested to draft 
a constitution, and “to present a circular suitable to be sent to 
various churches, to interest the women in the work for mis- 
sions.” 

At the next meeting, March 7, the following circular was 
adopted : — 


In view of the very little which the American Baptist Missionary Union 
has been able thus far to do for the education of women at its various sta- 
tions; of the insufficient funds at its command for prosecuting this work; 
of the successful beginning which it has made of it at several stations; of 
the desire of its Executive Committee to do everything possible for the 
elevation of woman as well as man; of its readiness to employ Christian 
women so far as practicable in this work; of the urgent need of more la- 
borers at all our stations and in the regions beyond; and of our own duty 
to cooperate more fully in this great work, — we believe the time has come 
for us to form a Society or Societies for the special purpose of aiding our 
Missionary Union to do more for the heathen and Christian women in the 
stations under its care. : 

All ladies who are interested in our Foreign Missions are therefore in- 
vited to meet in the Chapel of Clarendon Street Baptist Church, on Mon- 
day, April 3, at three o’clock P.M., to consider the propriety of forming 
a general Woman’s Missionary Society. 


A committee was appointed “to send this circular to other 
churches, and do what else may seem wise to interest them in 
this object.” The circular was accordingly sent to all the pas- 
tors in the Boston North and South Associations; and before the 
day appointed for meeting, many of the pastors’ wives and 
other ladies in and near Boston were visited and consulted in 
regard to the proposed movement. Almost all were found ready 
to join cordially and actively in the work. 


5 


ORGANIZATION. 


On the 3d of April, 1871, about two hundred ladies met in 
the vestry of the Clarendon Street Church. The constitution 
which had been drawn up was presented; and, after consultation, 
the Woman’s Baptist Missionary Society was formally organized. 

This Society, which was so planned that it might include every 
Baptist woman in the United States, had thus but a small be- 
ginning. Its members heard, as they believed, the call of the 
Saviour in the appeal of his servants for aid; and they felt that 
it was in their power to obey more fully than they had yet done 
his last command. ‘They were inexperienced in such work as lay 
before them; they shrank with all sensitiveness from publicity 
and from responsibility; they knew not how their appeals might 
be received by the churches, nor who was to do all the work re- 
quired to establish the Society all over the land; but they were 
ready to go forward step by step, looking for wisdom and for 
human help to Him who giveth liberally, and in whose hand are 
the hearts of all. 


RELATIONS TO THE MISSIONARY UNION. 


It was strongly felt that for the sake of economy, of harmony, 
and of efficiency, this Society must not seek to act independently 
of the Missionary Union, but must be auxiliary to it. Before the 
meeting at which the Society was formed, the subject was pre- 
sented to the Executive Committee of the Union; and they were 
requested to state some principles on which wise and harmonious 
relations could be based. A minute was adopted by them, defin- 
ing the relations which have thus far existed, the wisdom of which 
every year’s experience has made more evident. This paper sug- 
gested that the Woman’s Society leave the direct appointment and 
distribution of all laborers, the fixing of their salaries, the appro- 
priation of funds for their support, and the direction of their work 
in foreign fields, where it now is,—in the hands of this Com- 
mittee; adopting for itself the no less important task of awaken- 
ing, by suitable means, a missionary spirit in the women of our 
churches, and of inducing them to contribute regularly to its 
treasury for the support of female (or other) laborers in the 
foreign field, who seek especially the religious, the mental, and 
the social elevation of woman. 

Of the practical working of these principles, we may say, that 


6 


all missionaries to be supported by the Woman’s Society first 
present themselves to its Board of Directors for examination, and 
if found satisfactory, are by that Board recommended to the 
Executive Committee for appointment. In only one case has 
the Executive Committee declined to appoint a lady who was so 
recommended; and that case was one in which the Woman’s 
Board was most happy to have advice and guidance. The as- 
signment of these missionaries to their fields of labor, the ap- 
propriating of funds for their support, and the direction of their 
work, are subjects of free and constant consultation between the 
officers of the Union and of the Woman’s Society. As a result 
of such consultation, the Board suggests what it would like to 
have done ; and the Executive Committee of the Union has always 
complied with its wishes. The Woman’s Society intends its 
work to be always subordinate and supplementary to that of the 
Union; but the responsibility imposed by the relations here de- 
scribed is such as often to make us tremble; we cannot wish or 
dare to ask for more. 


MEMBERSHIP. 


Any woman who pays a dollar into the treasury of the Society 
is amember for the year in which she pays; and any woman 
who pays twenty-five dollars at one time, may be a life member. 
Larger gifts, and smaller ones, are gladly received; and it is 
earnestly wished that every sister in every church may be repre- 
sented in the treasury by some amount every year. Surely 
almost every one of us can save something from outward adorn- 
ment or personal indulgence for this object, without diminishing 
our usual gifts for any other department of Christian work. 
The amount raised from the beginning is $193,448.92. 


WORK OF THE FIRST YEAR. 


For nearly two years, Mrs. Laura A. Bixby acted as corre- 
sponding secretary, and in that capacity made many journeys for 
the purpose of holding Woman’s Missionary Meetings wherever 
the way seemed open to establish the work. A circular, stating 
the circumstances of the origin of the Society, and an appeal for 
cooperation, was sent to thousands of pastors. Letters were 
written to women in many places, and encouraging replies were 
received. Money began at once to come to the treasurer, Mrs. 


er 


7 


Hannah B. Merrill, who for three years performed all the duties 
of that office, providing all the needed stationery and postage, till 
she was compelled by disease to resign the labor to other hands. 

Mrs. M. A. Edmond gave important aid in the first year, by 
writing letters to the missionaries of the Union at all the sta- 
tions, inquiring as to the condition of the women around them, 
and as to the need of additional labor such as could be rendered 
by lady missionaries. ‘The replies to these letters were full of 
joy at the new impulse given to work for missions at home by 
the formation of the Society; and each told of the open field, the 
ready opportunity for such labor as was proposed. 

At the first meeting of the Board of Directors, a letter was 
presented from Mrs. C. F. Tolman, of Chicago, in reply to which 
an invitation was sent to the ladies of Chicago to unite with us 
by forming a branch Society; and also a letter, stating what had 
been done by this Society. It was decided to hold a Woman’s 
Missionary meeting in connection with the anniversary of the 
Missionary Union in Chicago; and delegates were appointed by 
the Board “to confer with those who might be present, and see 
if they would unite in the work.” But before that meeting was 
held, the “ Woman’s Baptist Missionary Society of the West” 
had been formed as a separate organization ; and it was found to 
be impossible to form one national Society directly auxiliary to the 
Missionary Union. 

The subject was referred to a Committee of thirteen —two 
from Boston, two from New York, two from Philadelphia, two 
from Chicago, and one from each of five States, — who were to 
report at a meeting to be held the next year in New York. In 
the mean time, the question was considered and discussed; but 
the desire of the ladies of Chicago to continue an independent 
Society remained unchanged, and the eastern line of Ohio was 
finally accepted as the boundary between the fields in which the 
two Societies should work. Our Southern boundary must natu- 
rally be the same as that of the field of the Missionary Union, 
the sisters in the Southern. States contributing through the 
Southern Baptist Missionary Convention. Thus our field has 
come to be New England, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, 
Delaware, and the District of Columbia. <A circle has lately 
been formed in West Virginia; and we hope to welcome more. 

It soon became evident that we must look, not to pastors, but 


8 


to warm-hearted Christian women in every locality, to present 
the cause of the Society, and establish auxiliary circles. As soon 
as practicable, therefore, an officer, called a State Secretary, was 
sought to begin this work in each State. In the first year, Mrs. 
O. W. Gates was appointed for Connecticut, Miss 8. C. Durfee 
for Rhode Island, Miss C. H. Carpenter for New Hampshire, and 
Mrs. G. S. Abbott for Massachusetts. 

On the 6th of September, 1871, it was voted “to invite Miss 
Kate F. Evans, of Painesville, Va., to come to Boston and meet 
the Board with a view to appointment as a missionary.” Miss 
Evans had long been seeking such appointment from the 
Missionary Union, and gladly hailed the new Society as a possi- 
ble aid in reaching the work to which she longed to devote her 
life. The record of October 19 states that ‘she was present, 
and gave satisfactory answers to all questions relating to the 
missionary work, and her reasons for wishing to enter upon it.” 
She was recommended to the Executive Committee of the Mis- 
sionary Union, and being at once appointed, prepared to go very 
soon to assist Mr. Bunker at Toungoo, Burmah. She sailed 
from New York December 16, 1871, with Miss Stevens, — the first 
missionary sent by the Society of the West, who went to Mr. 
Carpenter at Bassein. On their arrival abroad, Mrs. Ingalls 
made a strong appeal, which led Miss Evans to go to Thongzai, 
where she still remains, busy and happy, in good health, and 
often expressing her gratitude to God for allowing her to be there. 

In October, 1871, Miss Haswell, who had lately come to this 
country, presented to the Board her project of personally raising 
funds to erect a building for her boarding-school for Burman 
girls at Maulmain, and received its indorsement of her efforts to 
do so. She was requested to use her influence in forming circles 
auxiliary to the Society; and this she did in many places, while 
the Society assumed the payment of her travelling expenses. 

From May, 1871, till February, 1872, space was kindly given 
by the Missionary Union to the new Society in the Magazine for 
the presentation of its appeals, and to report the receipts of its 
treasury. But the increasing demand for such facts and appeals 
led to the offer of eight pages to be added to the Magazine; and 
this new venture was commenced in March, 1872, with the title 
of the Helping Hand. This was issued separately, as well as in 
connection with the Magazine, and was first under the editorial 


9 


care of Mrs. Bixby, and afterward of Mrs. Hovey. These ladies 
were all unused to such work; and carefully did they weigh every 
word that was to be printed. The first appeals were written 
three times over. The details of business with printers and pub- 
lishers had all to be learned; but the apprenticeship was gladly 
served for the sake of the cause, which grew every day more dear. 
At the beginning of 1873, the Missionary Union gave to our 
Society, instead of the supplement to the Magazine, one-half, or 
four pages, of the Macedonian; and this became our medium of 
presenting missionary letters and information. The Society as- 
sumed one-half the pecuniary responsibility of the publication ; 
and this was divided with the Society of the West in proportion 
to the number of subscribers in the respective fields, that Society 
occupying part of the space every month. The favor with which 
the Helping Hand was received, in this new form, was very grati- 
fying. The only drawback to our satisfaction has been its failure 
to pay for itself, necessitating a payment each year from our 
treasury to meet a deficit. Mrs. C. W. Train was appointed 
editor in January, 1874. In January, 1875, a fifth page was 
added to our share, and under the title of “Little Helpers,” was 
devoted to the children. In January, 1877, the Missionary 
Union offered us the whole publication, which was accepted. 
The terms of arrangement with the Society of the West are the 
same as formerly. We are allowed to rejoice in an increasing 
subscription-list, and in pecuniary profit for the year 1877, the 
paper having paid all its expenses and given a respectable sum 
into our treasury. 

In January, 1872, Miss Cornelia H. Rand, our second mission- 
ary, was appointed; and she sailed March 2, in company with 
Miss Haswell, to labor in connection with her brother in the 
Karen Mission at Maulmain. She was very useful and happy at 
that station, and left it with deep regret when in 1876 her broth- 
er’s failing health brought him and his family to the United 
States. She removed to Bassein, where she still remains in the 
Pwo Karen mission. 

The Society in March, 1872, assumed the support of four un- 
married ladies already connected with our missions, — Miss Has- 
well, Miss Gage, Miss Watson, and Miss Adams. Four Bible 
women were that year supported through the Society. 

The first annual meeting was deferred till after the Missionary 


10 


Union in New York, in the hope that a National Woman’s Mis- 
sionary Society might then be formed. But this hope was dis- 
appointed; and the meeting was held June 6, 1872, in the vestry 
of Tremont Temple, Boston. The results of the first year’s 
work may be summed up as follows: Missionaries, 6; auxilia- 
ries, 141; life members, 146; receipts, $9,172.63. 

From the first, quarterly meetings have been held at churches 
in or near Boston, where we have listened with deep interest to 
the experiences and appeals of returned missionaries and of 
home workers. From these meetings we always come away with 
the desire to be better women — better servants of our Lord, in 
whatever position he may have placed us. 


SECOND YEAR. 


In the records of our second year, we find noted the appoint- 
ment of Miss Anne Semple as State Secretary for Delaware, 
Miss Sarah Curtis for Maine, Mrs. Mial Davis for Vermont, Mrs. 
M. L. Smith for New Jersey, Mrs. J. B. Colgate for New York, 
Mrs. A. C. Kendrick for Western New York, and Mrs. S. A. Crozer 
for Pennsylvania. The present Assistant Secretary of the Soci- 
ety, Miss Mary E. Clarke, was appointed April 24, 1872. 

Only one new missionary was sent out that year— Miss Sarah 
B. Barrows, of East Sumner, Me., who was designated to Dr. 
Cross’ Karen school in Toungoo. She sailed for Burmah in 
August. At the same time Mrs. Maria C. Douglass, wife of the 
late Rey. J. L. Douglass of the Bassein Burman Mission, returned 
to Burmah; and her support was assumed by the Society. At 
the request of Mrs. Bennett an appropriation of $2,500 was made 
for a building for a Burmese girls’ school at Kemendine, near 
Rangoon. As soon as possible the school was established under 
the care of Mrs. Douglass and of Miss Gage, who had for two 
years been in charge of two day schools. established by Mrs. 
Bennett and Dr. Stevens, one at Kemendine and the other at 
Lammadau. The boarding school then begun has been very 
useful and prosperous. In 1874, it became necessary to move the 
building; and a new compound was purchased, one-third being 
paid for by our Society. Through the liberality of Mr. and Mrs. 
Bennett a new and convenient house was built, and the former 
one placed near it as a dwelling for the teachers. Miss Gage 
returned to this country for rest in 1877; and Mrs. Rosa Adams 


ll 


Bailey went to the assistance of Mrs. Douglass till Miss Rath- 
bun, who was sent out as a teacher for the school, should learn 
the language and the duties of her new position. The school 
has now more than one hundred pupils. 

In October, 1872, Mrs. Bixby resigned the office of Corre- 
sponding Secretary, much to the regret of all the officers of the 
Society. In December, Mrs. H. R. Carpenter, who had returned 
from Burmah early in the year, was elected Secretary. The 
personal knowledge of the mission field in Burmah possessed by 
both Mrs. Bixby and Mrs. Carpenter was of great value in the 
first years of our history, giving a special power to letters and 
personal appeals. 

In this year Mrs. Gates, of Connecticut, removed to California ; 
and Mrs. S. M. Whiting, who had the experience of several years 
in the Assam Mission, was chosen to fill her place. 

It was in our second year that the idea was first suggested of 
seeking out a lady in each Association, to present the cause to 
every church, and assist in forming and conducting circles. 
Every day we have reason to thank our Heavenly Guide for 
showing us this way to extend the work. One by one women 
have become known to us who are fitted for this work and will- 
ing to undertake it; and their efforts, for which they receive no 
pecuniary reward, have been successful in a marked degree. 
They labor often for months and years with little apparent re- 
sult; they have to meet indifference, and sometimes actual op- 
position, in trying to gain the attention of those who expect to 
be saved through Christ to his command to preach the Gospel 
to every creature. But after a time they are allowed to report 
the beginning of work in some of their churches. ‘They hold 
woman’s missionary meetings when their Associations meet ; 
and with or without the help of some returned missionary who 
ean tell from actual experience what life is where Christ is un- 
known, they try to impress on the sisters the duty of extending 
the blessings of salvation to those who are without hope. They 
follow up their appeals by letters, and when they can, by visits. 
Gradually it is seen that woman’s work for missions is an ele- 
ment in the Christian work of the Association. Pastors and 
brethren are stimulated to learn and tell more of God’s work 
among the heathen. A revival of interest in missions is spoken 
of as a feature of our denominational history at this time. Per- 


12 


haps no one will ever trace out and publish the agency of our 
State and Associational Secretaries and officers of circles in pro- 
ducing this revival; but in the Master’s book of remembrance 
every appeal made in weakness and trembling, every sacrifice 
of leisure and personal comfort, every effort to overcome preju- 
dice and indifference, is recorded. 

Our first tract, “ Woman’s Work in Missions,” by Rev. W. N. 
Clarke, was published late in our second year. At the same 
time the Board assumed the support of Mrs. Craig, a Karen 
brought up by the late Mrs. Vinton, and employed in the school 
of Rev. J. B. Vinton at Kemendine. Much to our regret, Mrs. 
Craig was compelled by ill-health to retire from the mission in 
1877. An appropriation was made for a school for destitute 
Eurasian girls. at Toungoo, under the care of Mrs. Cushing. 
Miss Adams returned to this country because of ill-health. The 
receipts of the second year were double those of the first; and 
the second annual meeting, held at the Shawmut Avenue Church. 
in Boston, was an occasion of much interest. We had then, 
missionaries 9, auxiliaries 305, life members 337, schools 15, 
receipts $20,158.67. 


THIRD YEAR. 


Early in our third year the following preamble and resolution 
were entered on the records of the Board: ‘ Whereas, it has 
been urged that home mission work be united with foreign in 
the church and city societies auxiliary to the Woman’s Baptist 
Missionary Society, 

“Voted, That while we bid a hearty God-speed to every other 
good object, and are glad to share in the work of the Home 
Mission Society, we do not think it wise in the church circles 
composing our Society to combine home work and foreign, but 
recommend to our circles the special effort needed to carry out 
the object of the Society as stated in the constitution of the 
auxiliaries.” 

We may say here that, in more recent consideration of this 
question, the opinion of the members of the Board has remained 
the same as when the vote just quoted was taken. The constitu- 
tion of the Society, as it now stands, would manifestly not allow 
the introduction of work for Home Missions; and the facts of 
the far greater difficulty of commanding attention and eliciting 
effort in behalf of Foreign Missions, and of the proportionately 


15 


small effort put forth to send the Gospel to the heathen, have 
confirmed the Board in the conviction that these two depart- 
ments of mission work can be more efficiently promoted without 
uniting them in one organization. ) 

In 1872 a small room was granted by the Missionary Union 
in its house in Bedford Street, for the use of the Society, the 
meetings of the Board being held in the room used by the Ex- 
ecutive Committee of the Union. But most of the work was 
done by the officers at home, till the headquarters of the Union 
were removed to Tremont Temple. Then our present office, 
Room 13, Tremont Temple, was furnished by special contribu- 
tions made for the purpose, and was ‘ready for occupancy in 
April, 1873. 

In our third year provision was made for houses for the 
schools of Miss Rand and of Mrs. Cushing; and two small 
houses were built for Bible women under Miss Fielde’s care at 
Swatow, China. The new missionaries sent out that year were, 
Miss E. Lawrence, of Worcester, Mass., to Mrs. Cushing’s Eura- 
sian school, and Mrs. J. J. Longley, of East Boston, to assist 
Miss Haswell. The former remained in Toungoo till the autumn 
of 1877, when for several reasons it seemed wise to discontinue 
the school, and she went to the assistance of Miss Higby at 
Maulmain. Mrs. Longley was soon led to give most of her time 
to the school and home for Eurasian girls at Maulmain; and the 
Board cheerfully acceded to her wish to be transferred to that 
special work. In 1876 she visited England and the United 
States, returning to Burmah in January, 1878. Miss Barrows 
has for two years assisted Mrs. Longley in the Eurasian Home. 
The Board in 1873 assumed the support of Miss Jennie Simons, 
who assisted her father, Rev. Thomas Simons, in the Burman 
Mission at Prome. In 1874 her health compelled her to return 
to this country, where she remained till 1876, and returned to 
Burmah at her own expense. She soon married Mr. Thomas, 
an English Government teacher, and removed to Akyab, where 
she died in 1877. 

This year witnessed many changes in our working force at 
home. The State Secretaries of New Hampshire, Massachu- 
setts, and New Jersey resigned; and their places were filled by 
Mrs. W. H. Eaton, Mrs. J. E. Taylor, and Mrs. W. C. Butler. 
Mrs. Davis, Secretary for Vermont, was suddenly called to her 


14 


heavenly home. Mrs. L. K. Fuller consented to accept the 
office of Secretary. Mrs. J. D. Herr, of Pittsburg, was appointed 
Secretary for Western Pennsylvania, and Mrs. W. M. Ingersoll 
for the District of Columbia. Mrs. Carpenter, the Correspond- 
ing Secretary, was about to return to Burmah; and Mrs. Alvah 
Hovey was chosen to fill her place. The Treasurer, Mrs. Mer- 
rill, resigned; and Mrs. J. M. S. Williams was elected Treasurer, 
Miss Clarke acting as Assistant Treasurer. Mrs. Nickerson 
took Mrs. Hovey’s place as Chairman of the Board, and Miss 
A. L. Pierce was chosen Recording Secretary. 

At the quarterly meeting, held in January, 1874, at the Somer- 
set Street Church, Boston, Mrs. Carpenter bade us good-by, and 
the next day set out on her return to Burmah, followed by the 
affectionate and prayerful sympathy of all her fellow-workers. 

Jn our third annual Report, Children’s Mission Bands are 
for the first time reported by themselves, twenty-one in number. 
Since that time increasing attention has been given to that 
branch of the home work. Much labor and thought have been 
expended upon it; and thousands of dollars have been brought 
into the Treasury. More important still, souls have been led to 
Christ by this very effort to send his word to the heathen; and 
the foundation is being laid for the intelligent and zealous sup- 
port of missions in years to come. 

At the close of our third year, we were allowed to report 
missionaries, 11; auxiliaries, 520; life members, 606; schools, 
22; receipts, $26,061.52. 


FOURTH YEAR. 


Miss M. C. Manning, of Warwick, Mass., was sent to assist 
Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter in the Karen College at Rangoon. 
She removed with them to Bassein in the following year, 
and rendered good service in teaching; but her health sut- 
fered from the effects of a fall, and she reluctantly returned 
home in 1877. Miss Walling, of Gouverneur, N. Y., was sent to 
Bassein, where she still remains. Mrs. C. B. Thomas returned 
to the Karen Mission at Henthada; our Society assumed her 
support, and also that of Mrs. L. A. Knowlton, of Ningpo, 
China. The latter very soon came to the United States; and it 
is her delight to work for missions as much as her health allows. 
Miss Isabella Watson, who had been several years in Burmah, 


15 


returned home with impaired health in February, 1875. Miss 
Myra H. Stetson was appointed to assist Miss Haswell; and at 
our fourth annual meeting we bade her farewell. She took cold 
on the voyage, and never recovered her health, but returned 
home, being absent just one year. She died in October, 1876. 
Her memory is precious; her patient courage in setting forth 
alone to her chosen work, and in yielding to the will of God 
when withheld from that work, will be kept in our hearts as an 
example. 

In October, 1874, the Society was incorporated in accordance 
with an act of the Legislature of Massachusetts. By the pro- 
visions of the charter, the President and Clerk of the Society act 
as President and Clerk of the Board of Directors. There is but 
one Vice-President. The constitution of the Society was not es- 
sentially changed. 

About the same time, a contingent fund was established, con- 
sisting of legacies and gifts made in memory of friends. These 
are invested, and the interest is used every year in the work. It 
is understood that the principal may also be used at any time, if 
required. 

In this year funds were granted for support of Mrs. Downie’s. 
school in the Teloogoo Mission at Nellore, India, and for a sub- 
stantial school-house; also for a girls’ school and school-house: 
under care of Mrs. Partridge at Swatow, China. 

We counted in April, 1875, missionaries, 15; auxiliaries, 707; 
schools, 20; life members, 750; receipts, $29,609.89. 


FIFTH YEAR. 


We were allowed, in our fifth year, 1875-6, to send four new 
missionaries to the foreign field. Miss Emma Chace, of Provi- 
dence, R. I., went to assist Mr. Packer in the Rangoon college, 
where she remained till her marriage in June, 1877, to Mr. 
W.H. S. Hascall, of the Maulmain Burman Mission. Mrs. 
Dorothea Estabrooks, the only married woman on our list, 
assists her husband, the pastor of the English church at Maul- 
main, in labor for the Eurasians there.*. Miss Clara A. Sands, 
of Zaleski, Ohio, was sent to Yokohama, and Miss Anna H. 





*A telegraphic message received April 27, 1878, announces the death of 
Mrs. Estabrooks. 


16 


Kidder, of Providence, to Tokio, Japan. Both these ladies are 
in the stations to which they were sent; the latter quite alone 
since the departure and the lamented death of Rev. Mr. Arthur. 
The Board this year began to provide for the support of Mrs. 
Martyn as assistant to Mrs. Downie. 

Mrs. M. R. Trevor consented to act as State Secretary for 
Eastern Pennsylvania ; and Mrs. W. M. Young took the place in 
Western Pennsylvania of Mrs. Herr, who removed to New York. 

The buildings provided for in our fifth year were, a school- 
house and chapel at Lammadau, near Rangoon; a school-house 
at Zao-hying, China; and one for the boys’ school at Swatow. 
A plan was presented by missionaries to the Teloogoos for a 
school for the higher education of the children of Christians ; 
and in our fifth annual report a large appropriation is assigned 
to the “ Teloogoo Baptist College Building.” It was then sup- 
posed that the Government of Madras would pay an equal 
amount toward this building, and for half the support of the 
school; but it is found there are no pupils sufficiently advanced 
to secure a grant from Government; and the school, if con- 
tinued, will be no college, but merely an institution for the 
direct training of Christian workers. 

The fifth annual meeting occupied two days, instead of one. 
This new departure was made with much doubt of success; but 
so delightful was every session, that it became evident that we 
could not again limit the enjoyment to one day. The more 
ample time for interchange of thought and experience by the 
home workers was most profitably filled; and our hearts were 
drawn nearer to each other and to our Saviour. A children’s 
meeting was a source of much pleasure, with the opportunity it 
gave of seeing the costumes of several nations, and of hearing 
from Mrs. Whiting, Mrs. Bixby, Miss Watson, Mrs. Cushing, 
and Sauna of Toungoo. We reported, missionaries, 18; schools, 
20; auxiliaries, 750; mission bands, 80; receipts, $33,260.69. 


SIXTH YEAR. 


The record of our sixth year shows steady progress, with few 
important changes. Miss Martha Sheldon, of Providence, R.I., 
was sent to assist Miss Haswell at Maulmain; and Miss Emily 
H. Payne, of Halifax, N.S., with Mrs. Rosa Adams Bailey, who 
was reappointed a missionary, were designated to the Burman 


17 


Mission at Henthada. Both these ladies were attacked by fever, 
and compelled to leave Henthada. Mrs. Bailey, after several 
months’ stay at the Kemendine girls’ school, has begun work for 
the women at Zeegong. Miss Payne is now with Miss Rand at 
Bassein. Miss Isabella Watson this year returned to Bas- 
sein. The Board, on the death of Dr. Haswell, assumed the 
support of Mrs. Haswell. Lucy Magrath, a Eurasian who 
assists Miss Haswell, was also added to our list. Funds were 
sent to aid in building a chapel and school-house at Zeegong ; 
and a cottage was purchased at an expense of about $100, at 
Monmagon, near Tavoy, a most desirable location by the sea- 
side, where missionaries may go to rest and recruit. 

Mrs. Fuller, State Secretary for Vermont, resigned; and her 
place was filled by Mrs. R. M. Luther. Miss E. 8S. Coles was 
appointed to assist Mrs. Butler, State Secretary for New Jersey. 
It was in our sixth year that, as mentioned before, we undertook 
the entire management of the Helping Hand. 

The sixth annual meeting was of greater interest than any 
preceding one, because of the presence of more of our State and 
Associational Secretaries, and other active workers from various 
points in our home field. A free conference of home workers 
was of great benefit to many; and a children’s meeting was 
held, similar to that of the year before. 

The report states that there were 21 missionaries, 34 schools, 
25 Bible women, and 1040 life members; receipts, $35,925.09. 


SEVENTH YEAR. 


In our seventh year, just closed, we sent out Miss Clara Brom- 
ley to Prome; Miss Ella F. McAllister to Bassein; Miss L. E. 
Rathbun to the Kemendine school; and Miss Mary M. Day to 
the Teloogoo Mission, of which her father was the founder. 
Miss Gage and Miss Manning returned to this country for rest 
and the recovery of health.” Miss R. E. Batson and Miss M, 
Russell have been appointed missionaries at our request, and 
hope to go in a few months to the foreign field. 

In November, 1877, Mrs. Colby, the President, went to Europe 
with her husband, for the restoration of his health. Her place 
in the meetings of the Board, and at the public meetings of the. 
Society, has been ably filled by the Vice-President, Mrs. J. N 
Murdock. 


18 


At the request of Mrs. E. O. Stevens, $1000 has been paid to 
‘build a house at Prome for the accommodation of the sick, on 
land given for that purpose by Government. More than half 
the amount has been contributed by friends in New York, Brook- 
lyn, and New Jersey. 

An appropriation has been made for a school for the Christian 
training of Chinese boys at Zaohying, in care of Mr. Jenkins, 
and one to aid in the erection of a new school-house in the Sgau 
Karen Mission of Mr. Vinton at Kemendine. We have now 25 
missionaries, 37 schools, about 1000 auxiliaries and bands, 1,170 
life members. As many newcircles have been formed as in any 
previous year; but some have become discouraged, and failed to 
contribute. Receipts of the seventh year, $39,260.43. 

It will be seen from this brief survey that much of the educa- 
tional work of our missions has gradually come to be supported 
by our Society. This is in accordance with the appeals and the 
motives which led to the formation of the Society. It is our 
hope that we may be able to enlarge and strengthen this depart- 
ment to just the extent needed for the best interest of the cause 
of Christ. We long, also, to have more native Bible women 
going from house to house, wherever such workers are adapted 
to the character and customs of the people, to tell the women 
and children of the Saviour. But there must be missionaries 
fitted by character and education for the work of training these 
Bible women. 

As we look over our foreign field, we have reason to be grate- 
ful for those whom we have been allowed to send there. They 
prove that unmarried women can be as brave and steady and 
devoted as any class of workers. God bless them every one, and 
supply all their need, according to his riches in glory by Christ 
Jesus | 

What shall we say of our success at home? Year by year we 
have rejoiced in the increasing number of active workers, and of 
contributors to the treasury ; and most of those who have joined 
us are actually learning something of the work of God in foreign 
lands, and of the circumstances under which it goes on. The 
constant demand for missionary literature is in itself an encour- 
agement. The instruction given to thousands of children will 
make them more wise and willing supporters of missions than 
we are in the present generation. We rejoice in the assurance 


19 


that the Woman’s Mission Circle is in many churches what it is 
intended to be —a quickener of piety, a stimulating agent to 
love for souls, to prayer, to all forms of Christian growth and 
work. Its members call attention, by word and example, to the 
need of foreign mission work in accomplishing the object of all 
Christian effort — the bringing of every human soul into Christ’s 
kingdom. And we hope our Society is helping effectively, 
though unobtrusively, to speed the day when every Christian 
shall, of necessity, as one who owes all to Christ, give and labor 
according to his or her ability, in. making the gospel known to 
every creature. When that day comes, — when even the Baptist 
women of America may be counted on as sure, because of their 
abiding principle, to do their share in this great work, — we will 
gladly consider our mission as a separate organization at an end. 
But as yet we may not relax our efforts, but must rather perse- 
vere, with greater zeal and riper wisdom as the years go by. 


RECEIPTS OF THE WOMAN’S BAPTIST 
BY STATES FOR THE SEVEN YEARS FROM ORGANIZATION. 





MISSIONARY SOCIETY 

















1st year.| 2dyear. | 3d year. | 4th year. | 5th year. | 6thyear. | 7th year. 
Vicinelpercrests «| $199.86] $1,114.63] $1,716.29| $1,970.10] $2,022.78] $1,963.54] $1,883.32 
N. Hampshire} 172.00 470.03 720051 T,321.12| &1,745.09|' 1,201.02) 1,403.73 
Vermonte...-- 95-75 365.37 802.62] 1,022.56] 1,362.28] 1,210.65] 1,490.11 
Massachusetts.| 4,367.11] 7,321.41| 8,224.85] 7,844.36] 9,094.56] 9,945.50] 9,076.45 
Rhode Island..| 617.05] 1,569.66] 1,803.51] 2,323-47| 1,841.68] 1,773.56] 1,799.46 
Connecticut...| 460.96] 2,079.77] 3,207-40| 2,964.30] 3,221.43] 3,332-63| 3,270.37 
New York...-| 935.12] 4,550.24] 5,189.11] 6,717-45| 7,071-23| 8,002.92] 9,301.73 
New Jersey... 45-00 980.23] 1,510.08] 2,697.80] 3,390.24| 4,106,57| 3,941.03 
Pennsylvania..| 738.20] 1,997.18] 2,142-83| 1,599-97| 2,320.77| 2,741-18| 3,111.64 
Delawareeeea| esas ais 126.00 55-00 30.00 70.00 55-00 60.00 
Dist. Columbia 10.00 15.00 115.00 go.18 89.19 190.25 151.60 
Caliocmiaaeet 40.00 30.25 66.70 57.00 25.00 5.00 1.00 
@amad arctic 2ETOO| lee encore 25.00 11.45 4.00 200 ll fetieeatce 
CA labarrials ctereterell lorertraeetes lteter oe oot 3.65 S00 50510 T5OO |Biciel stern ciececeil eiexelstepers sere 
Dakotancsenelessenescs TVOO| a wtorslerers oie lketersss ra RSbck aban iaeee soca sie lile oveyareeisrahers 
Tjlinoiss <0-'<- 53-59 £.O8hiecios eee oan se ae Or 3-50 Zeke 
indrancasaeseee: Raat ES OO mart ante Rersilia wictttelacsercte sar so'd'os | atene aletaic ererodlisetereretsteresttete 
LO Walang eects ecetailirete erottoniale 2.00 10.00 5-00 AR Ollenanoacad |! dace SdCACs 
Kean Sa ereets total ranistenatrereotlneverar- iescelieeneck sistoll eretattetape seas 1.00 GcO0l teresa 
Kentucky r: atk cease Mls BodoodeaoGi|Poladoaoo 0 1.50 2.00 eote 
IMirehigianeyerreciliele amet DOO Netenis re Sn llocsabancnn| S80¢ 66 ap on 6.00) | levexetei state 5066 
IMEC al bogina rs es! Gas ioc 1o\lAaeonodadollSog Hoyoos ZR OO secede Fer Peles hb6 sau 
MiSSISSIPi pls cael sere cena Ol tte see weiss mein ayaa eer Bay Nici Sas 2.00 nnnaee 
Minnesota 3:16) Gciesiecsieelllsis oierie sss porn isretetntetaiat laterite ae aise andar ots 49 ook esta indie +25 
NiorthiGarclinalgeces ee ZB .OOleamia eas Nae 4.00 anbee: 4.00 2.00 
Kvooconoose 2B S400] SoncAcwsed || SeAOD 8h¢ 4.25 171-35 24.25 
Orecon neveme olsen terete MSR 65 3-00 OSG) wre de corto neler ese coented 
AP ENNESSCE mac illne so clerics 5-00 90680 9 Solelere si | tole torereletetcretalll alate cies sbo boosts adbb00 
Vireinia outth ells. ety ceed oc ate tak ae Seka ZS sOG | ac on cease ve hare iets os vas slhes soca she 
Wisconsift.cseiteso-aena veces rears 5.00 2.00 28.00] ss oats 
Europe & Asia 25.00 50.00 2 TOO | elaraletestatteen ante testers ee 37-88 25.00 
Miscellaneous.| 1,362.74 212.60 441.32 892.98 370.49| 1,058.14] 3,658.49 
$0,172.63 |$20, 158.67|$26,061.52|$29,609.89|$33,260.69|$35,925.09|/$39,260.43 

















Total receipts for seven years, $193,448.92. 








MISSIONARIES 
OF THE 


WOMAN’S BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 





i Station. Mission. Appointed. 
*Miss A. R. GAGE, Rangoon, Burmah, BURMESE. 1871. 
‘ UI. WATSON; . Bassein, ss KAREN. s 

“ S: E. HASWELL, Maulmain; “ BURMESE. s 
Mrs. R, A. BAILEY, | Zeegong, § bh Ke 
Miss K. F. EVANS, Thongzai, “ ss ff 
Mrs. M. C. DouGLASS, Rangoon, ef E 1872. 
Miss C. H. RAND, Bassein, e Pwo KAREN. ‘ 

“« S. B. BARROWS, Maulmain, “ BURASTANS Si 
Mrs. J. J. LONGLEY, ag Peee i <C 1873. 
Miss E. LAWRENCE, + aS KAREN. _ se 
*Miss M. C. MANNING, ~ Bassein, és yee 1874. 
Mrs. C. B. THOMAS, Henthada, “ <s . 4 
*Mrs. L. A. KNOWLTON, WNingpo, CHINA. ba 
||Miss M. H. STETSON, Maulmain, ‘“ BURMESE. 1875. 
§ ce E. A. CHACE, 6é 66 . 66 6 
J Mrs. D. ESTABROOKS, sali as EURASIAN. < 
Miss C. A. SANDS, : Yokohama, Japan, JAPANESE. if 

cos A TS KAD ERS. sc TOKIO, 3 | sect “ 

“<M. SHELDON, Maulmain, Burmah, BURMESE. 1876. 

“Es H. PAYNE, Bassein, \ Ss i, 

“-_ E. F. MCALLISTER, ag Sk KAREN. 1877, 

“<j. C. BROMLEY, Prome, 5s BURMESE. S 

“ L. E. RATHBUN, Rangoon, " “ “s 
+ Mrs. J. M. HASWELL, — Maulmain, bs a 
Miss M. M. DAY, Ongole, India, TELOOGOOS. 1878. 

“ ULIE CROSS, Toungoo, Burmah, KAREN. ; ss 


“-R. E. BATSON, 


“ M. RUssELL, appointed, and expected to sail in.1878. 


*In this country, ||Died 1876. §Married Mr. W.-H. S. Hascall, 1877. Died 1878. 
: fA missionary of the Union since 1835. 





